Hi all: I getting ready to start making my tunnels and mountains out of styrfoam for my layout. I have 2 tunnel portals that I brought to. So what I want to do is make the tunnel molds first out of styrofaom, glue then the the benchwork, and then make the mountains molds out of styrofaom glue them to the benchwork by the tunnels and then shape the mountains. Does this sound like a good plan, or should it be done another way with styrofoam. thanks for the help, i have been trying to decide how to start it.
You could use the solid tunnel portals made from serveral manufactures and then glue it on the styrofoam. I’ve use six portals on my NTRAK modules. Hope this helps. [:)]
The easiest way is to make the mountian and then turn it over and cut the tunnel out to fit the track. When done, glue the portal to the styrofoam. A little ground goop fills in. I have also used WS tunnel molds and then built the foam up to them. It all works. I like to carve my mountains on the workbench and then fit them to the layout. I add the portals last.
Like Art does, I make my mountains on my workbench first, then apply to layout. I say “apply” because some areas will be lift-outs, so they will not be glues into place, other areas “will” be glued in place. Portals always applied last on the layout after mountains are set in place.
I differ from Art in one area, and this is because I have elevated tracks in the mountains, so I “layer cake” the foam. What I mean is, I place the first layer of foam down on my bench, this may be 2" foam or 4" thick foam. I usually use 2" thick foam because it is more common and easier to get at local stores here. If the tracks are going to be on the first 2" layer, then I cut out the underside of layer #2 and sometimes #3 dependant upon the height I need in the tunnel for the locos and cars that will be running in the tunnel/s. Each layer is then glued on top of each other, carved/shaped and sculptamolded at joints to eliminate the seems, and any molded rock features are glued to surfaces also prior to installing the mountain on the layout.
Hope this helps,
A word of caution ---- Any time you build a tunnel, remember that a portion of a train is sure to derail or get caught in there; also you need to maintain the track surface. You should whenever possible make an access to the tunnel (either from below or via a liftout). I hate the cliche “ask me how I know” but I assure you most of us modelers have had the problem. In other words think ahead to what you would do should trouble happen in the tunnel.
Ron K.
Maybe I’m just fortunate, but I have never had a derailment in a tunnel in 8 years. I use a re-railer in the tunnel as a precaution, and I made the tunnel large enough to handle the largests loco and cars that I plan to run, so no issue there. I like to use the P6 plan. Cleaning the tracks is no issue either, as you just send the “cleaning” car in there once in a while.
Proper Planning Prevents P** Poor Performance
I use styrofoam to build tunnels and mountains, but I never glue them to the layout. They all lift off for track maintenance and retrieving derailed/stalled trains. I store trains in sidings in some tunnels, and if not used for several weeks, they may need a nudge to get started. What I do is build up around the base of the tunnel/mountain with Sculptamold, and then when it is dry – I cover it with Saran Wrap and apply the Sculptamold to the tunnel/mountain. When it is dry, I can lift it off and remove the plastic wrap for a perfect fit between the base and the tunnel/mountain. Since they are removable, I can do a lot of the finish scenery at the workbench – more comfortable than reaching over the layout.